#iftheygunnedmedown: Twitter users say victim portrayals often unfair

Michael Brown, 18, was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on Saturday. Conflicting reports about what led to the shooting resulted in protests as well as calls for justice on social media, including the hashtag #iftheygunnedmedown. Although the hashtag initially meant to draw attention to the seemingly unfair portrayal of young black men in the media, people of other races are also joining the campaign. But at least one Twitter user suggested, "Maybe if y'all didn't post pictures with bottles, weed & guns & throwing up gang signs & middle fingers you wouldn't have to worry about which picture they would use #iftheygunnedyoudown."

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

B

S

O

close

close

-

#Iftheygunnedmedown: Twitter Users Say Victim Portrayals Often Unfair

Shortly after the shooting, images of Brown lying in a pool of blood began to circulate on Twitter. Users pleaded with each other to stop sharing negative images and instead use photos that showed Brown for the "gentle giant that he was."

The hashtag #iftheygunnedmedown soon surfaced with users asking each other which photo the media might use to tell their story if police shot them.